Danger-signal



2 Shets-Sheefi 1, N.

(No Model.)

H. HARRIS & F. BERNARDI DANGER SIGNAL.

Patented Dec. 15, I896;v

PTO/573,218.

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H. HARRIS & P. BERNARDIN.

DANGER SIGNAL.

No 573,218. Patented Dec. 15, 1896.

7 (No Model.)

w vtwaoaeo 1%. 6 a, Okla/142 3 UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY HARRIS AND FRANCOIS BERNARDIN, OF ANTWERP, OHIO.

DANGER-SIGNAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 573,218, dated December 15, 1896.

Application filed Mar h 21, l 8 9 6- To aZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that We, HENRY HARRIS and FRANCOIS BERNARDIN, of Antwerp, in the county of Paulding and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Danger-Signals for Drawbridges and for other Places; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in danger-signals for drawbridges, &c. by which the signal is kept constantly in mo tion and before the eyes of those to whom it v is intended to give warning.

In cities and places where streets and roads are crossed by streams, railroads, bridges, and the like, and particularly drawbridges, &c., that are constantly crossed by pedestrians, the danger to life and property is very great, and in order to prevent loss of life and property as far as possible by proper signaling and warning is the object of our invention and to that end our invention consists in erecting in the most conspicuous place or places an oscillating or swinging signal provided with attractive colors for day and suitable lanterns at night, the oscillation of such signals to be produced by any well-known mechanical contrivance or motive power.

This invention relates, broadly, to the movable swinging or oscillating signal made visible and displayed in such places that persons passing cannot fail to observe it and to be thus and significantly warned of the danger immediately in front of them.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a front elevation of a framework over and around an ordinary gate, clearly showing a pendulum-ball suspended therefrom by a rod, on which is also shown the signal-flags. Fig. 2 is also an illustration of our signaling device with the gate removed, the depending signal-flags having a signal ball or lamp suspended between the flags.

This ball may be of any approved color, the proverbial danger-color, (red,) or it may be of Serial No. 584,297. No model.)

white glass or other transparent substance in which a lamp may be placed either for day or night, but the object of the flags, balls, or bulls-eye is that one may be used for daytime and the other for night, but it must be understood that all of these signals are to be mechanically and automatically operated.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts.

A weight E may be employed to shut the gate when it is desired. A like weight may be employed to run the mechanical movement, or it may be operated by a spring, or, if preferred, by electricity.

The above description will apply as to both figures. These figures show an ordinary mechanical movement by which the movable signal is operated, the dotted lines showing a pendulum-like movement when the signal is in operation.

Centrally over the driveway and located on the frame A we arrange our motive power or mechanical movement B. The movement B is preferably housed by cover (3, by which it is protected from the elements.

Suspended from the movement B is a pendulum-rod D, to which is attached the flags a a from cross-bar Z2, which runs through a socket 0. This socket has at its lower end a ring D, to which is attached and depending therefrom a signal-ball E.

When the signal is desired for water-fronts, docks, wharves, and for shipboard, it must not be forgotten that it is to be kept in motion to be within the spirit of our invention. It may be employed also for the visible display of nautical or semaphore signals or the like, and, as before stated, its impellin g force is suitably located.

In fogs by the arrangement of a fog-horn on the oscillating rod a better effect is produced, as it is well known that the movement of a sounding instrument moving with velocity through the air produces a peculiar audible sound of much greater volume than when the instrument is still.

It will be understood that we do not confine ourselves to any particular form or kind of signal, but claim, broadly, a mechanicallymoving signal of whatever grade or color, nor do we wish to confine ourselves to any mechanical movement or motor, as many modifications may be made with wide range in the signal and motor Without departing from the spirit of our invention.

The signals, balls, and flags may be interchangeable, if desired.

What We claim is A dan ger-signal comprising a motive power, a pivotally-suspended rod actuated thereby, a socket on the lower end of the rod adapted 10 to receive interchangeable signals, and a Weight capable of being illuminated attached to said rod, substantially as described.

In testimony that We claim the foregoing as our own we affix our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

HENRY HARRIS. FRANCOIS BERNARDIN. lVitnesses:

THOMAS A. GRAVES, S. L. HARRIS. 

